All kinds of wholesome families

Three weeks ago Honey Maid graham crackers released a commercial celebrating all kinds of wholesome families, including gay families. They got some criticism, so they put together an awesome two minute response. I recommend clicking to full screen before starting either video.



Brendan Eich has been working at Mozilla (makers of the Firefox web browser) for a good long time, rising through the ranks. Back in 2008 he contributed $1,000 to the campaign to halt gay marriages in Calif. Recently he was named as CEO of Mozilla. While Eich confirmed that Mozilla believes in diversity (a central piece of the Mozilla mission) he didn't say his views on marriage have changed. The pushback from both within and outside Mozilla was fierce. Eich finally resigned.

Jim Burroway of Box Turtle Bulletin wonders about the statue of limitations on such a donation. He thinks our criticism of Eich is being as bullying as the Fundies are to us.

This did not sit well with his readers. They bring up many worthwhile points. The only one I'll mention is this: Would Burroway be saying the same thing if Eich had donated to the Klan?



Remember that "license to discriminate" bill that was vetoed in Arizona? It passed the Mississippi legislature in lopsided votes and that governor signed it.

Timothy Kincaid of Box Turtle Bulletin isn't so worried. He says there aren't that many businesses willing to get a reputation for refusing service to gays. He then says there will be many unintended side-effects that will turn around and bite lawmakers, such as Rastafarians demanding the legalization of pot and other religious minorities declaring their freedom.

Kincaid's readers strongly disagree. In spite of any side-effects the bill, just by existing, will have the intended effect of belittling and demoralizing gay people.



Gene Robinson takes on the Fundie claim that it is the Fundies who are the victims.

But I have to ask: are religious conservatives confusing the pain of finding oneself “suddenly” in the minority with actually being a victim? Both feel uncomfortable, even painful, and are fraught with anxiety. But they’re very different.

He then describes what being a victim is really like.



Several gay organizations were a part of the protests that ousted the previous Prime Minister of Ukraine. They were right there in the square where the protests were held -- but without their banners and flags. It is a rather homophobic country after all.

But now that a new guy is installed and treading carefully between Russia and the European Union, the gays of Ukraine are in a bind.

If they push too hard for rights they hand Russian Prez. Putin an easy propaganda victory. He can say, "See! The West really is all about homosexuals!"

But not pushing hard enough is also a problem. Officials from the EU are quietly lessening their demands that Ukraine must pass certain human (gay) rights laws in order to be an auxiliary member. Gay groups think that now is the time to get these laws passed because they won't be passed without EU pressure. Weren't those protests about human rights?



This one is ugly. The Inter-Religious Council of Uganda put together a well-attended five-hour celebration as a thank you to the legislators and prez. Museveni for enacting the recent anti-homosexual bill.

So go watch that Honey Maid response again.